Wedding Guest Makeup: A Pro’s Guide to Getting it Right

According to makeup artist Sean Harris, a firm, but not too firm hand is key to nailing your wedding guest makeup. “One common mistake I see people make with their wedding guest makeup is they either do too much which winds up looking harsh in person, or ultra natural makeup which often doesn’t translate enough to translate well in photos,” he explains.

From achieving a beautiful glow to melt-proofing your eye look, below, the pros weigh in on their top wedding guest makeup tips with step-by-step instructions on how you can re-create a fail-proof glam at home.

Get Glowing

A natural glow begins with the right moisturizer and proper skincare prep. Professional makeup artist Jessica Smalls relies on Bobbi Brown’s hydrating primer to help keep skin hydrated, creating the perfect canvas of makeup to follow. Regarding complexion coverage, Dalí recommends using two different kinds of foundation so that you only shine in the right places. “Apply a velvet matte finish foundation on the center of the face, around folds of the mouth, where your nose meets your cheeks, and a touch to the center of the forehead,” she instructs. “Then, using a separate tool, apply a lightweight foundation with a glowy finish, like Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation, to the rest of the face (and neck where needed), blending nicely.”

Sculpt and Highlight Softly

Instead of a bronzer, opt for a cool-toned contour instead. Though, remember less is always more when contouring your face—especially at a wedding. “I have never been a fan of a super contoured face,” says Dalí. “The goal is to softly define the features, not mask or completely alter them.” In this spirit, when it comes to sculpting, Westman Atelier’s contour stick boasts an easily blendable, creamy texture in cool tones, which perfectly emulates the natural shadows of bone structure. “Apply contour under my cheekbones and along the jawline, and then buff it out using a firm brush,” says Smalls. “This instantly makes the cheekbones pop and slims the jaw.” Once you’ve sculpted your complexion, add a healthy flush. Not just on the cheeks but all over. “Pop a bright blush on the apples of the cheeks and all places you would naturally get pink if you were in the sun a little too long,” instructs makeup artist Jenna Kristina, suggesting the temples, the tip and bridge of the nose, and along the contours of the eyes to “help bring life to the skin.”

Prime and Define the Eyes

To set the stage for eye makeup that won’t budge or crease, a primer is “game-changing,” insists Kristina, who counts Urban Decay’s cult-favorite Eyeshadow Primer Potion as a go-to. “It’s clear, so it won’t change the color of your shadows, and it’s also great to apply to prevent eyeliner transferring.” In designing your eye look, Kristina believes a simple and clean look, like a soft smoky eye or classic cat eye, is the way to go both aesthetically and with maintenance in mind. Dalí emphasizes that it’s important to remember how your makeup will photograph, too. “I like to stick to bronzey, peachy, earthy, and pastel colors, and stay away from eyeshadows that are too loud, which can look dated or dark as they tend to photograph even darker than you see them in person and can make your eyes look smaller in pictures.”